After 15 years in the A-League, Mariners legend and homegrown hero, Matt Simon, has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
Since he played his first professional minutes against the Newcastle Jets in 2007, Simon has led from the front for the blue and yellow, represented everything the Mariners stand for and bagging an incredible 61 goals (and the odd red card) along the way.
Following a hugely successful 2020/21 campaign where Simon led the Mariners back to the A-League finals, his 2021/22 season was sadly cut short after just one match when the striker injured his neck in an FFA Cup tie against Blacktown City.
“It has been a difficult eight or nine months after getting injured in the cup game,” Simon said.
“I have tried to use the past few months to try and get myself fit and back on the field and it just hasn’t been good enough to get back to where I need to be to give 100% for the team.”
Despite the injury, the Mariners legend is thankful for everything that football has given him.
Arriving to the club as a product of the East Gosford juniors, Simon’s accolades include three premierships, one championship, an FFA Cup and the title of all-time leading scorer for the Mariners.
“The game has given me more than I ever could have imagined – coming into the club at 19, if someone told me that I would be retiring at close to 37 it would have been an absolute dream,” he said.
“To be able to play for my hometown team in the national competition for so long with so many appearances, one of my highlights has been (to be) able to play in front of my family and friends every single home game.
“It has been a great ride with plenty of ups and downs … some successful times and some hard times but I have loved every single second of it, and I wouldn’t change any of it.”
On top of his A-League accomplishment’s, Simon has also represented his nation multiple times, becoming an Olympian in 2008, while twice playing for the Socceroos.
He also spent two years in Korea between his time in the A-League.
From all the editorial team at CCN, congratulations Matty – we will miss the skill, the fire, the leadership, the elbows and the hometown loyalty you brought to the game.
CCN